Molecular control analysis: Control within proteins and molecular processes

Molecular control analysis is a method for analysing the extent to which the different elementary steps or rate constants within a molecular process limit the steady-state rate (or other variables) of that process. Any process which may be described by a kinetic diagram of transitions between states of the system may be analysed by molecular control analysis, and this approach has previously been used to analyse control within enzymes, transporters, enzyme complexes, channelled pathways, and group-transfer pathways. We outline the theory of molecular control analysis here, and illustrate its use by analysing control within enzymes (three beta-lactamases). Further potential applications include signal-transduction processes, protein folding, and chemical reactions. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited.